Sub-series consists of a register of Chinese immigrants who registered and paid the head tax at the port of New Westminster, B.C. in the years 1887-1898, 1907 and 1908. This is the only port register as such known to have survived. Names in this register should also be found in the Chinese General Registers created by headquarters in Ottawa.
The names are arranged in numerical sequence by declaration number. The register gives each person's name; date of registration; C.I.5 or C.I.6 certificate numbers; amount of head tax paid; sex, age, and identifying physical features; village, district and province of birth; occupation; last place of domicile; port and date of arrival and name of ship; remarks; and notes on any Certificates of Leave (the early form of the C.I.9) issued to the person, with date of return if applicable. Order in Council (P.C. 1622, September 1, 1885) designated the Collectors of Customs at Victoria, Nanaimo, and New Westminster, the Sub-Collectors of Customs at Osoyoos and Kootenay, and all Collectors and Acting Collectors of Customs as "Controllers of Chinese Immigration" with responsibilities to register Chinese immigrants, collect the head tax imposed on each individual immigrant, and issue identification (C.I). certificates. These Controllers reported monthly to the Chief Controller of Chinese Immigration in Ottawa.